Smoque BBQ
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3800 N Pulaski Rd
Ste 2
Chicago, IL 60641 b/t Avondale Ave & Grace St
Irving Park - Get Directions
- Phone number (773) 545-7427
- Message the business
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Business website smoquebbq.com
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“I love the baked beans, the mac & cheese - I have yet to try the brisket, but I fully plan to.” in 1648 reviews
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“The Mac and Cheese was creamy and yummy, and the topping on the peach cobbler was to die for.” in 433 reviews
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“You're definitely missing out if you don't take the time to try their St. Louis ribs!” in 107 reviews
Recommended Reviews
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- Monette D.
- Chicago, IL
- 6 friends
- 7 reviews
8/8/2015
I've been coming here for quite a while and they still have the best BBQ in town. I always get the ribs and they are delicious but when I tried the brisket and the pulled pork, OMG!!! It's like heaven was in my mouth. I love how you can get two different side dishes when you get the platter, but my favorite side dish would be their coleslaw.
I would always tell my friends to go here if they want some BBQ and they will not be disappointed. But I would suggest that you come in early because the line are always all the way out in the streets, but they are fast in getting your orders out. If you don't want to wait in line you van always call ahead and just eat it at home. You will still get to eat the best BBQ but at comforts of your home.
If ever someone from out of state comes and visit Chicago. Smoque is one of the places they should try. That is because they are the best!!! -
- David J.
- Chicago, IL
- 71 friends
- 30 reviews
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8/1/2015
Darling fiancé and I went on a whim one day while we were in the neighborhood for lunch. Surprisingly, there was not a wait at all! I like the whole chalkboard menu concept.. Makes for the fast time BBQ experience! Anyways, I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and my babe ordered the brisket. We shared a Mac and cheese as well. The service was good and the food was up fast! The Mac and cheese is unforgettable! It was so so yummy! I'm happy I don't live in the neighborhood or I'd be a lot heavier as a result of frequent visits for that reason alone. The pork and brisket were tender and the bbq sauce was on point.
I know it may seem trivial, but I judge a BBQ place heavily on their coleslaw and theirs was on point! Very fresh tasting without having too much mayo, etc.
We will definitely be back :) -
7/14/2015
I love BBQ and I cook KCBS Competition BBQ I've been to a lot of the top places in this country. Franklin's in Austin, Memphis BBQ Co, Lockhart TX and eaten at the big three so when I say this I have the credentials to back it up. This is one of the top 5 places I've been to. I say this because most places do one or two things good but the other are not. Example the Brisket in TX is amazing but they do a bad job at pork ribs. Memphis does good pork but bad Brisket so on and so on. But here at Smoque they did everything well.
Brisket Excellent
Ribs Excellent
TX Sausage, is very similar to the Lockhart style sausage
Beans are just like OK Joes and they are some of the best in the world.
Pork, good
Corn Bread is a can't miss -
7/6/2015 Updated review
2 check-insI really do enjoy this place. I think it a really good deal for some quick tasty barbecue. I must say that it is not my favorite BBQ spot but it is definitely close to it. Here's what I ordered last time I was there:
// St. Louis Full Rack - $20.95 - Theses ribs are so tasty. They have a pretty decent amount of meat on them. They are very soft and tender. It is REALLY hard for me to decide which one I prefer: St Louis or Baby back ribs. The baby back ribs are smaller and more curved. They are a bit sweeter. But the St Louis are more straight on the bone and have a little bit more meat. Not as sweet. I would recommend you get some with a friend and split the two.
// Added Sliced Brisket - $5 - This brisket was pretty good but it was a little bit dry. Then there was a time I went back to smoque and the brisket was delicious. So I think it depends on the day, so I would maybe steer you away from getting this due to its inconsistency. I mean if you are hungry, then get it! ha.
this is definitely a spot to hit up while you are in Chicago. And Also if you are up north, it helps. :)-
St Louis full slab. (There are stack on top of each otherSt Louis full slab. (There are stack on top of each other
I have heard about this place through the book "Eat. Shop. Chicago". I have always wanted to go as… I have heard about this place through the book "Eat. Shop. Chicago". I have always wanted to go as soon as I read the review. I ended up going for lunch and I was no impressed. I thought it would be amazing, seeing how the line was out the door... but it was very standard BBQ. I am not going to totally knock this place for 2 reasons: it was PACKED, and I did not order their ribs [which i imagine are probably the best thing on the menu]. But the pulled pork sandwich came out and it was just luke warm.. ugh. Anyway, worth trying, but get the ribs.. and tell me how they were. haha. Read more5/20/2011 Previous review
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- Sallyann Z.
- Chicago, IL
- 45 friends
- 58 reviews
- Elite ’15
7/9/2015
My friend and I decided to take a spontaneous trip to Smoque BBQ which has been on our list since we moved here. On a late Friday night around 9, we walked in to a busy, homey joint eager for barbecue. We scanned the menu and walked straight to the counter to order. I got 1/4 rack of St. Louis ribs with cole slaw and Mac n cheese (felt like the perfect portion to me) and she got a 1/3 rack of Baby Back ribs with fries and Mac n cheese (hers came with cole slaw).
As we settled down to the picnic like tables, we realized the cramped venue was BYOB. People brought in their own beer and even hard liquor and everyone looked very cheery and comfortable! Our food came shortly after and we of course had to take a first bite of the Mac n cheese - holy cheese gods! The flavors and creaminess of this BBQ side staple were absolutely heavenly and though the silver tin it came in was tiny, I was so excited to gobble down the whole thing. But, I have this thing where I like to save the best for last so I moved on to try the cole slaw. The cole slaw was a downer, not a lot of wetness and too peppery for me. Alas! But the crunchiness of the cabbage was a good complement to everything else. My friend's fries came in a huge portion. They were seasoned well, but felt too heavy for a bbq side in my opinion.
Next, the ribs! Man oh man, it's been so long since I've had ribs and they were phenomenal. I cleaned each rib to the bone. Each rib was so meaty and flavorful and the 1/4 rack was perfect! My friends 1/2 baby rack ribs were much smaller (not sure the appeal of baby back over St. Louis?). The ribs came with a small cup of the St. Louis sauce and I wasn't a fan of this sauce actually. It was more tangy than I would prefer. If I were to compare Q BBQ with Smoque, Q would definitely win the sauce category with their variety and unlimited quantities. Since I had brisket at Q, I can't compare the meats, but both had me blown away!
After some time, I was ready to finish up my macaroni. I was devastated to find that it got cold and the creaminess kind of curdled. TIP: eat yo mac n cheese right away
Because Smoque BBQ is rather far away, I see myself going to Q BBQ over Smoque. If it was closer, you better believe I'd be a regular for this top-notch Chicago barbecue!-
Mama would be proud of how cleaned up these bones are ^_^Mama would be proud of how cleaned up these bones are ^_^ -
A perfect portion! 1/4 rack of St. Louis ribs and two sides. Next time pass on the cole slaw but never pass on the Mac n cheese!A perfect portion! 1/4 rack of St. Louis ribs and two sides. Next time pass on the cole slaw but never pass on the Mac n cheese!
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- Cinthya Q.
- Logan Square, Chicago, IL
- 22 friends
- 50 reviews
- Elite ’15
5/12/2015
Best BBQ place in the city.
The space is small for how popular it is. You usually wait in a line during peak hours and you'll have to stake out for a spot to sit at. However it's all worth it when you bite down into your BBQ.
Their BBQ brisket and BBQ chicken are so delicious! I don't have any idea about the science behind smoking but whatever it is they have it down. Their chicken, ribs, and brisket are always nice and moist (literally falls off the bone). All their food has a nice and delicious hickory, woody, smokey taste.
Their sauces and their sides are just as great. While I normally think homemade BBQ sauce is vinegary I think Smoque's is not vinegary at all. My favorite is their hot sauce, I can put that thing on everything.
But their sides... wow! Unfortunately for other BBQ places in the city, when I think of BBQ sides I always compare others' to Smoque's. The cornbread, the mac and cheese, the cole slaw, the peach cobbler, the fries... it's all so good. You won't go wrong anyway so try them all.
They are BYOB so it makes for a nice evening if you're able to sit outside. Be prepared to eat and leave though, this is not a sit and hang out type of place.-
Smoked chicken breast, Cole slaw, peach cobbler, Mac and cheese, and hot sauce. Yum!Smoked chicken breast, Cole slaw, peach cobbler, Mac and cheese, and hot sauce. Yum!
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7/8/2015
1 check-inThere isn't much that I could say in my review that differs from the other 3,000 reviews haven't covered, but I am just going to reiterate the fact that the baby back ribs are f***ing amazing.
A couple days prior to my visit at Smoque my fiance had found out that I never eaten any ribs...ever! I know, okay, it's very strange that I've lived in one of the greatest cities for food (BBQ especially) and have never eaten ribs. It's not like I had some outrageous grudge against them - they've just eluded me. But no longer! I went to Smoque with my fiance and we split a full slab of those baby back, baby back, baby back ribs and they could not have been any better! If you haven't had the pleasure of trying ribs before then THIS is the one and only place that should be your introduction to the phenom that is a baby back rib. Even if you have eaten ribs before then you still need to go to Smoque. It was televised on the Food Network for a reason guys! The ribs really are that good! The meat is some of the most tender I've tasted in a long time and you can rip it off the bone so easily. Indulge your inner carnivore! Besides the tenderness of the meat, the ribs also have a smoky-sweet flavor that couldn't possibly get any tastier. Sure, the ribs are somewhat expensive, especially if you order a full slab instead of a half slab, but don't use that as an excuse not to get any. You're not going to be eating ribs every week so you can afford a splurge on some noteworthy ribs once in a while. They are worth every dollar you spend on them, I guarantee that!
The ribs do come with two sides so we ordered the BBQ beans and the cornbread. I will say that the sides are not the best I've had and in fact the cornbread seemed a little stale, but regardless of this the sides were not bad by any mean. To put it simply, they just were not my favorite. What the sides lacked, though, the meat made up for. I'm serious - the ribs were glorious. That is what you're going there for anyways.
Just keep in mind that your stomach is going to have to rumble for about a half an hour to an hour because of the long line. Yes, I know that long lines are quite annoying to deal with but take it as an indication of how good the meat is there. Luckily for you, Smoque is a BYOB so you can bring a beer for that long wait you will surely have to endure.
Also, a sidenote, just know what you want to order way before you get to the counter because it will make the process much quicker for you and for everyone else that also has to wait in line. It's just a courtesy thing. I'm sure that the employees will appreciate that more as well! Keep in mind that they are extremely swamped for the entire time that they are working; despite this they are still extremely friendly!
Oh! Oh! One last tip - it says that Smoque closes at 9 pm, but they actually lock their doors around 8:45 pm so that they don't have a line out the door at 9 pm. If you can get there earlier than that is better - you don't want to run the risk of not getting in! They do close it a little earlier because it takes a while to actually cook the meat.
Again, this is definitely the go-to place for all your rib first-timers like myself! Who am I kidding though? This is a go-to place for anyone that loves BBQ!-
Full slab of baby back ribs, corn bread, bbq beans and peach cobblerFull slab of baby back ribs, corn bread, bbq beans and peach cobbler
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5/29/2015
1 check-inFinally made it to Smoque last week & this place did not disappoint! I was warned to get there early and by 5:45pm on a Friday, the line was already forming. I had to wait about 10 minutes to order and was quickly seated. The staff does a nice job of finding a spot for you to sit, letting you know when you're number is called, and clearing trash away for the next guests.
The food was the real highlight though. I opted for the chopped brisket plate with a choice of 2 sides and slaw for ~$14. The portion of meat was substantial and I had plenty to take home. The meat is definitely the center piece at Smoque, with all meats served with two sauces on the side. Meats are paired with specific sauces that complement the cuts and flavorings of the dish and I enjoyed the contrast of the two sauces that came with my meal - one was a thick and creamy mesquite sauce and the other was a brisket-specific, vinegar based sauce. Both were tasty! I hoped the brisket would compete with the likes of some of the Austin BBQ I've tried, but it didn't quite get there. A pretty solid Chicago alternative, but I've still gotta make the trek to ATX the best of brisket country.
Lots of sides to choose from but I went with the mac & cheese and the fries. The mac & cheese was decadent, with just the right amount of cheese flavor. The small portion left me wanting more, and I later saw other customers choose mac & cheese for both of their sides to make up for it (what a great idea!). The fries were served hot and fresh in a small brown paper bag and were plenty to share with a friend. Portion-wise, the fries were the better deal.
The place is BYOB (except for the patio, which is a bummer) & totally surprised me! They would still have quite the crowd without the added bonus of bringing your own booze, but I happily spent all the extra dough I saved on treating myself to a hot peach cobbler.
Can't wait to go back and try more of the cuts of meat and sides! -
5/20/2015
I got 5 (stars) on it!!
This place is awesome. It can get crowded, but they do a great job of keeping things orderly with the seating, the line, etc. Great job on the execution of that.
The meat was delicious. The brisket, the pulled pork and the ribs were all excellent. The brisket was the best in my opinion. I also suggest the fries as a side. They are tasty and they give you a ton. I do not recommend the beans. I just didn't like them. The mac and cheese was good, but it was small. The cornbread was also good, but small.
They have byob, I repeat byob. Just bring in whatever you have and go to town.
I thought the prices were reasonable on all fronts, but when you figure in that you can byob, the value goes up exponentially.
The girl working the cash register was nice and answered all the questions I had both times I went. Yes, there were two visits to smoque during the trip to Chicago...
Yes that is a 750ml bottle. It went down! -
7/2/2015
1 check-inLoved this place, stopped here before I had to fly out. Ordered the 1/2 slab of baby back ribs. My two sides were the brisket chili, fries, and it already comes with slaw. These ribs were the best I have ever had. I didn't even need bbq sauce. Just ate it dry, meat just fell right off the bones. Loved the way they smoked the ribs, flavor was bursting. Chili was excellent, and fries were great. Their slaw was good, but may take time to get used to it. Overall experience was more then expected. Would love to come back if I'm ever in town again!
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- Minh-An C.
- Long Beach, CA
- 635 friends
- 700 reviews
- Elite ’15
4/17/2015
1 check-inSo hungry and excited to try one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago, my friends and I stopped here for lunch and drinks. It's BYOB so we brought a few bottles of Stella to accompany our ribs. Between 4 people, we shared 2 racks of ribs, a platter of beef brisket, and a platter of pulled pork + sides (mac & cheese, fries, and a salad. Total was $50ish. The food came out pretty fast and we digged in (after a few pictures for social medias).
The baby back ribs were dry rubbed and I did not enjoy it as much as Pappy's in St. Louis or Phil's in San Diego, CA. But my friend, who is an expert in ribs and he loves dry rubbed, loved the ribs here. The meat is good but the meat didn't fall off as easily and not as tender. You do get to dip into different sauces that are available and each one has a subtle difference.
The sides aren't unique and nothing stood out.
The beef briskets were super tender and just melts in your mouth. I think that was my favorite part of the meal. The pulled pork was seasoned pretty well, but it's nothing amazing.
I guess I failed to see what got all the other 3000 people to think that this place is amazing...
Street parking is fairly easy to find and it's free!-
Beef brisket top left, pulled pork bottom left, 2 slabs of ribsBeef brisket top left, pulled pork bottom left, 2 slabs of ribs
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5/6/2015
1 check-in3.2/5
I found this place due to all the amazing yelp reviews, but I was not as impressed as I thought I would be. The St. Louis ribs & the brisket was tender, but the sauces were just "okay". The sauce really makes or breaks the meal. The sides were small, but the fries were plenty. The peach cobbler was also my favorite part of the meal. If only they include a scoop of vanilla ice cream, that would really hit the spot. The service was amazing though. The server was very attentive. We were very pleased. I also love when parking is free. Just park along the roads nearby.-
Half rack of St. Louis ribs & taste of brisket with peach cobbler, Mac & cheese, fries, & coleslawHalf rack of St. Louis ribs & taste of brisket with peach cobbler, Mac & cheese, fries, & coleslaw
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6/17/2015
1 check-inCarryout Review: Great BBQ for a good price, Smoque is some good classic eatin!
The good: Great tasting food all around. The variety was fantastic, a little bit of everything. Pulled pork and chili were the highlights for me personally, but everything tasted really good. There was even peach cobbler, which was fantastic. Great value. For catering, they packaged very well.
The bad: The baked beans tasted like plastic and were terrible. The meat was too dry for my taste.
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: N/A
Food: 8/10 -
3/21/2015
2 Meat Platter (Pulled Pork, Sliced Beef Brisket) w/ Slaw & 2 Sides (Macaroni & Cheese, Cornbread)
The 2 Meat Platter served w/ Slaw and 2 Sides
a la Carte - $8.95
w/ Slaw & 2 Sides - $12.45
Yes, it's another BBQ Joint; you're best not to get tired of BBQ here... If so, I feel bad for ya! Here at Smoque, you can expect an absolute line out the door, so be sure to get here no later than 11am if you want a seat.
The atmosphere is the a-typical BBQ joint. Small, not much for seating and the main focus being the fantastic Q! Which in my honest opinion is pretty rockin'. Keep the atmosphere, just give me good food!
As seen on Triple D's Real Deal BBQ, it is the Real Deal and Smoque lives up to it. So if you're in the Chicago area and you're looking for the "best of the best" BBQ, stop by Smoque and get it!-
2 Meat Platter (Pulled Pork, Sliced Beef Brisket) w/ Slaw & 2 Sides (Macaroni & Cheese, Cornbread)2 Meat Platter (Pulled Pork, Sliced Beef Brisket) w/ Slaw & 2 Sides (Macaroni & Cheese, Cornbread)
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- John G.
- Waukegan, IL
- 26 friends
- 59 reviews
7/4/2015
1 check-inLove this place. 2nd time going figure i give a review
Parking: Street and lot. Place can get crowded so hopefully not too bad for ya. I never had a problem but luck goes a long way. Free btw
Scene: can get crowded with lines looped through the establishment. Place can accommodate enough but its not the biggest place. Has a bbq line order feel with more lively vibe if that makes sense. Casual atmosphere overall.
Service: Nice enough for a place like this. Someone leads you to the order line, gives you a ticket, you order, once you are served they show you your seat to eat. Simple enough but could imagine witha large party this being mildly troubling oh well. Everyone one is nice. No issues
Food: I order the bean spicy chili, mac n cheese, and chicken BBQ. Portion size are a lil on the small side for the side dishes wish is a let down but the taste makes up for it. Everything is fresh, hot, and packs great taste. I'd recommend each dish I mentioned.
Overall: If you need a bbq fix can't go wrong with place. Small portions and long line but its worth it especially if youve never been. Cheers -
6/17/2015 Updated review
Listed in Top Ten RestaurantsI'm pleased to report the fries are back to their former stellar quality. The brisket is still the best choice in my opinion.
Tip - No alcohol is allowed on the outdoor patio so if you BYOB (as in booze), you'll need to sit inside. You'll be closer to the candied jalapenos anyway so no big deal.What have you done to the fries? I know, according to your manifesto that you don't feel fries are… What have you done to the fries? I know, according to your manifesto that you don't feel fries are a good match with BBQ but up until the last visit, they were great. The latest fries, while tasty, looked like they came out of the Ore Ida bag. No longer the heavy skin, dark brown, juicy fries that once were. Tell me this was just a substitute due to some supply problem? I also noticed Barry wasn't around so maybe that had something to do with it. On the plus side, the brisket and candied jalapenos were outstanding as usual. Read more5/12/2011 Previous review
Another visit, another spectacular meal! Arrived around 4 on Saturday. A little early for dinner… Another visit, another spectacular meal! Arrived around 4 on Saturday. A little early for dinner but this guarantees we will find parking in the lot in back and not encounter much of a line. Having said that, the few times we have found a line, these guys manage the tables so well that by the time you order your food, your table is waiting. As usual, Barry Sorkin was at 'his post' next to the order counter keeping an eye on things. When he saw a customer carrying his tray back to the counter, he sprang into action to see what the issue was. Within seconds he had returned the tray to the customer and appeared to have resolved the issue. The two guys at the table next to us were impressed with our BYOB preparations. Beer for my gf, wine for her father, and rum for my Coke. They complimented us on our BYOB choices. Thanks to other Yelpers, I asked Barry about the candied jalapenos and he was quick to oblige with the peppers and spicy sauce as well. I'm hooked on the brisket sauce but I tried the spicy just the same. It is a little thicker (tomato base) and has a little kick to it. I'll stick with the regular brisket sauce. The candied jalapenos were outstanding!! Who would have thought that brisket and jalapenos would be a good match? Wow!! But then, I like peppers on everything. Hopefully the peppers will be a regular offering. No need to look elsewhere in Chicago for brisket, this place is the real deal. Read more11/3/2010 Previous review
Return trip and got to try the chili this visit. Arrived around 4:30 on Saturday. No line and… Return trip and got to try the chili this visit. Arrived around 4:30 on Saturday. No line and plenty of open tables. We found it interesting that parked in the back lot was a Sysco (food services) trailer. Business must be good!! Everything was top notch as usual (brisket, slaw, fries, and beans) and Barry Sorkin (co-owner) was keeping on eye on things and making the rounds to each table. The chili was very good (no surprise). Not very tomato-y with just the right amount of heat. And loaded with brisket, of course.4/26/2010 Previous review
Of course I'm a little miffed that I didn't get to try some of the candied jalapenos mentioned in another review (isn't everything better with a little heat?!). Just another reason to go back!!
Still solidly in my top 5 restaurants. Good thing I don't live any closer. Read moreAnother return visit for us and, as always, Smoque never disappoints. Our mission is to turn as… Another return visit for us and, as always, Smoque never disappoints. Our mission is to turn as many people on to this place as we can.8/2/2009 Previous review
Got there on Saturday afternoon a little after 4. Virtually no line which is why we get there at 4. The brisket was moist and fork tender as usual. Outstanding. It cracks me up that in spite of the Smoque manifesto that plays down fries and BBQ as a less than desirable pairing, they were excellent. I tried the Texas sausage and wasn't impressed but I go for the brisket so no worries. I also tried the baby back ribs and, contrary to what others have reported, these are not the fall-off-the-bone variety. And that's a good thing. They were meaty but not fatty.
Enough about the food. On this visit it was the service that impressed us. Of course Barry Sorkin was floating around checking on everyone and lending a hand where needed. But what really made the difference was that close to the end of our meal, my GF decided to take some brisket to go for her parents. She barely got in line to place her order where one of the staff came up to her and noted that she already had a meal. They inquired if she needed something else and when she said that she wanted something to go, he not only took her order but then came to the table for her to pay rather than stand in line. Suffice to say that these guys not only get BBQ, they understand customer service. Not bad for a bunch of former IT guys. Although Chicago can't claim any style of BBQ for ourselves, Smoque has respectfully studied the art and brought it to Chicago. They run a fine restaurant. How about a suburban location?! Read more -
6/17/2015
Disclaimer: I haven't been to the actual location. During my 4 years working at Ticketmaster between 2009-2013, we used to always have Smoque catered and that's where I fell in love with it.
Their mac n cheese is simply the best. Hands down, it's the best I've ever had. I don't really need to say anything else about it. If you go to Smoque, order the mac n cheese one way or another.
Their BBQ is absolutely phenomenal. The brisket and pulled pork are some of the best I've ever had and personally think they're the most tender and delicious in the city. I recommend the platters, however I've never tried the sandwiches and would imagine as long as the meat is the same, they're probably just as good.
This place doesn't need a long and drawn out review. It's some of the best BBQ around, and I'm not just talking Chicago. -
- Shreya L.
- Jacksonville, FL
- 1 friend
- 10 reviews
7/16/2015
I've only had Smoque catering, so I can't speak for the service or ambiance, but the food - wowwee! I had a pulled pork sandwich, BBQ chicken, corn bread, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and bourbon-pecan bread pudding.
THE GOOD:
- The pulled pork was tender and juicy, and tasted phenomenal on the sandwich. There were several sauce options, so naturally, I poured all of them on my sandwich.
- The coleslaw wasn't too mayo-y, and added a really nice and refreshing component to the meal
- The mac and cheese was truly out of this world. Smooth and creamy, not too salty, jam-packed with flavor
- THE BREAD PUDDING OH MY GOD OH MY GOD. I wouldn't say that this is a traditional bread pudding - because it's not - and so it cannot be directly compared with those fresh from the South, but that's what makes this so amazing. It tastes like a pecan pie with a bourbon kick, with the soft and smooth texture of a bread pudding on the inside, with a pie-like textured crust. Different, but in a great way!
MEH:
- The chicken was fine. Nothing special. Kind of plain - the flavor didn't seep into the middle.
- The corn bread was not sweet or spicy enough. It was very bland and a waste of calories. The only positive was the little pieces of corn in the mix - they were delightful.-
Pulled pork sandwich, cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw remnants, BREAD PUDDING (my mouth is watering as I type!)Pulled pork sandwich, cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw remnants, BREAD PUDDING (my mouth is watering as I type!)
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- Shambavi K.
- Chicago, IL
- 63 friends
- 196 reviews
- Elite ’15
3/2/2015
1 check-in20-25 min wait at 6pm on a Saturday night is not bad for this place. They have a good system of seating and ordering.
The food is pretty darn great.
-Rib Combo. I can't say if the baby back ribs are necessarily better than the St Louis. They are just 2 versions and both are good. (I prefer baby back)
-Pulled pork - no need for additional bbq sauce. it's just great on it's on.
-sliced brisket - this was falling apart in a good way :)
- I actually like their coleslaw! - cuz it has no mayo...vinegar based. almost inspired me to figure out their recipe.
I like that the bbq sauce containers tells you which sauce to use for which meat. That was useful -
- Sylvia G.
- Chicago, IL
- 31 friends
- 24 reviews
6/9/2015
1 check-inThis place is barbeque heaven. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich. The brisket was juicy and absolutely perfect. I love that we were given a side of two different barbeque sauces (smoky and sweeter). It came with cole slaw and a side. When it comes to the sides, we only tried the mac and cheese and fries...both were delicious.
The place got pretty crowded (it was early afternoon), so we snagged a table on the patio. Definitely sit outside if you can! It just adds to the barbecue experience.
I'm excited to go back to Smoque and try some of their pulled pork! -
- Vionka L.
- Skokie, IL
- 0 friends
- 4 reviews
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- Winston W.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 6 reviews
8/12/2015
This might be the only place where I can say everything is good here. I've tried like 80% of the menu and it's all tasty. I've tried many great BBQ places in the south and this little place in Chicago rivals all of them. I guess that's not a surprise since this place has a nod from Michelin. My favorites are the pulled pork and brisket. I also really like that the menu is a la Carte, it makes for tasting various things easier. I first came here with a large group for a birthday party. They don't take reservations but the staff was kind enough to help seat our large party; very good service overall. I love this place and I will keep coming here and recommending that everyone should come here as well.
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- N. R.
- Chicago, IL
- 2 friends
- 26 reviews
7/15/2015
Joint is overrated. Hard to believe that people will stand in line 40+ minutes for the dried-out chicken, oil-soaked fries, overly sweet BBQ'ed beans, flavorless slaw, and dried out cornbread I had last night on my first and likely last visit to Smoque. You know the feeling of disappointment when you blow your week's diet on something rich and decadent that doesn't even taste that good? Exactly.
But if you and your loud unruly children love small portions of mediocre food served on cafeteria trays in an obnoxiously loud, alcohol-free setting, go for it! -
- Nitasha B.
- Los Angeles, CA
- 12 friends
- 18 reviews
6/8/2015
1 check-inA really hole in the wall kinda place, it is infamous for its BBQ there is always a line but it's a Byob, so brings a glass of your favourite wine/spirit along and wait your turn
The staff is friendly and alert, we ordered the ribs they were tasty but slightly dry would have liked them juicer. Our friend got the brisket which was super tender an tasty.
The Cole slow is made with vinegar and pepper which is light and delicious
You get a table to still within a short wait, must try!! -
- Kan C.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 18 reviews
7/29/2015
Luckily, I always seem to miss the ridiculously long lines here. I've been here a few times now and I always at least get the brisket as part of my meal. The pulled pork is good, but I've always preferred some good smoked brisket. I've had the brisket chopped and sliced and I personally prefer it sliced. I like to see how juicy the meat is and the defined smoke ring near the edges whereas when it's chopped, the consistency is more like shredded beef. Smoque's sliced brisket is definitely top 3 in Chicago.
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Sliced and chopped brisket sandwich with Mac 'n Cheese and ColeslawSliced and chopped brisket sandwich with Mac 'n Cheese and Coleslaw
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- Hana Y.
- Chicago, IL
- 2 friends
- 66 reviews
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7/13/2015
1 check-inThis might be the unicorn of reviews for this establishment but it's honest. I saw Smoque featured on the Food Network and told my family we had to try it. There was 10 of us, and we had a big table. The staff was really attentive. The food was just okay. I was not impressed with the barbecue. The ribs were okay. The seasoning was bland. Mediocre at best. Honestly just drive to Kansas City, Tennessee or other barbecue capitals to get the real stuff. Chicago should just stick to the pizza, beef and hot dogs, and leave the barbecue to the pros.
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12/17/2014
1 check-inIn Chicago for the day seeking a lunch spot to fill and plump us up to fight the chill. Hubs and I tend to hit DDD spots while traveling and he LOVES BBQ... So I cross checked the Flavortown recs against 2800 glowing Yelp reviews...and Smoque seemed like a clear choice for lunch.
Just a heads up for newbies like us -- you have to order *then* you get a seat. They keep it moving in here and it was basically PACKED at 11:15 when we arrived.
Here is what we ordered:
Brisket platter (chopped, no bun) with fries and smoked baked beans
1/2 Chicken Platter with mac & cheese, brisket chili, slaw x2 (stolen from hubs)
Added a "taste" of St. Louis ribs for $6
Total for tons of food + 2 sodas = $37.67
The star of the show at Smoque had to be the baked beans. They actually put these beans in the smoker, and you can totally taste it. However, should I return to a BBQ joint for the baked beans alone? Hmmmm...
The mac & cheese was good -- there was just not a whole lot of it. (Spoken like a true carb addict and mac and cheese lover, I know.) It is baked with a crumb top -- served in its own disposable foil ramekin. Tasty. Especially with a little hot BBQ sauce added. Yum. Chicken (white meat) was remarkably not dried out, but not super juicy either -- Hubs said the dark meat was better. Ribs were not fall-off-the-bone tender, but had a good taste for a dry rub. Didn't really even need sauce for these.
The down sides for me: first off -- the slaw. It was simple -- just big long chunks of grated green cabbage and grated red onion...but that's it. Luckily I could navigate around the chunks of onion (so my husband could bear to spend the rest of the day with me) and the dressing they used actually ended up saving the day...otherwise this would have been a total miss in my opinion.
Secondly, I wanted the brisket chili to be so.much.more. than it was. The hub's pulled brisket was tasty, so I hoped the chili would be too. Sad Panda.
Let me say this -- if the hubs was writing this review, it would have been given 10+ stars. He LOVED this place. I *liked* it and can see going back to try some other offerings. Perhaps the hype and my expectations were too high... or I just regret not getting the Bread Pudding with Bourbon sauce. Either way, we may give it another shot in the future -- but there are just SO many options in Chicago. -
- Lou T.
- Miami, FL
- 2 friends
- 10 reviews
7/10/2015
Looking for some good BBQ in the Chicago area? This is definitely the place. Looking for a nice dining experience? Do yourself a favor and order take out here. First of all, I truly don't understand BYOB in establishments with the type of business Smoque does. The line through the dining area is ridiculous as well. After all the wait you get to sit in an overcrowded dining room. I ordered the baby back ribs with all the meat sides. It was all delicious. Almost made me forget that I had to practically rub elbows with the guy next to me.
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- Kristin L.
- Montreal, Canada
- 2 friends
- 17 reviews
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5/4/2015
I must this place is pretty good! I wish the expand more because this venue is so small to serve all the hungry customers that want to check this place out or come back for some more. The wait is really long but worth the try. I waited 30 min for a table when I was hungry maybe I should have been warned to come in before I start getting super hungry. Everything was good and I will definitely come back for some more!
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- Mike B.
- Santa Monica, CA
- 0 friends
- 19 reviews
7/29/2015
Went here based on reviews. Overrated but good. Ill start with the worst thing. The baked beans taste like you swallowed a campfire. They were unedible. They have a soda fountain way in the corner that we didn't see. When I asked what they had to drink they pointed to this case filled with 12oz. sodas that were over almost $4 after tax. We went there at 6pm so not late to avoid dried out bbq. So I ordered the brisket. Dry as a bone. Glad I had the sauce to dip it in. The mac and cheese was awesome but about as much as an ice cream scoop and they charge $2.95 a la carte for it. The service was great except the counter worker forgot a side on both of our orders. I wonder how many people realize they are missing a side with how busy it is. Ill go again but I'll try the ribs since they looked great.
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- Shelby L.
- Sarnia, Canada
- 0 friends
- 3 reviews
7/30/2015
My boyfriend and I heard about the restaurant from reading a Buzzfeed article about things to do while visiting Chicago. Out of all the places we ate during our trip, the food here was definitely the most memorable. It was over a hour away from where we were staying but there were no regrets.
Between the two of us we tried the baby back ribs, brisket, pulled pork, slaw, macaroni, beans, fries, cornbread muffin, and pecan bread pudding. The ribs appeared to look burnt but I kid you not the meat literally fell off of the bone and there was absolutely no burnt charcoal taste. The brisket was tender and delicious. The pull pork was full of flavor yet didn't have any big gross chunks of fat.
The slaw comes with each meal, it wasn't anything special but it wasn't awful by any means. The fries were done nicely and the cornbread tasted like cornbread. The real good sides was definitely the macaroni and the beans. The macaroni was covered in bread crumb crust and baked perfectly. The sauce was creamy and cheesey as it should. The beans were covered in a sweeter bbq sauce and cooked to perfection.
Last but not least the pecan bread pudding was an absolutely must! Neither of us typically like bread pudding but it was cheap and we decided it was worth the try. It had a sweet burbon caramel sauce and covered in candied pecans. The pudding itself had a more cake texture which I really enjoyed. Despite being stuffed, we spent time really debating buying more to go.
Overall, the experience was great. The atmosphere was really comfortable and the restaurant had a lot of character and life to it. The service was great despite it being extremely busy. Definitely not the place to go if you want fine dining because it's more of a cross between fast food and dining. Really cannot emphasize how great the food was. -
7/1/2015
Very very good barbecue!!! the brisket is just amazing! moist, crispy outside. the best part of this place is that the food is lean!!! the plate stays clean, not full of oul and still the meat is tender. plus, the cole slaw is perhaps the best I ever had. Ribs are good but nothing crazy. And they give you plenty of gooood fries!!!
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- Michelle V.
- Aurora, IL
- 1 friend
- 15 reviews
6/14/2015
There's nothing special about the barbeque. We waited longer to actually place our order than to be seated or get our food. For the price we paid I expected a better atmosphere. Even being served water at the table would have made the visit better.
The staff was nice but it doesn't make up for mediocre bbq and a bland atmosphere. -
- Smitha N.
- Ann Arbor, MI
- 0 friends
- 3 reviews
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10/24/2014
Listed in My 100+ BBQ Reviews, The Tourist TrapsI am a BBQ person. I'm always looking to find places outside of TX that are doing it right. I heard Smoque was one of those places.
Tried the 3 meat sampler. While at the counter I was distracted when I was told I was given some extra meat for free and didn't catch one of the gals who sauced my plate. I couldn't be mad though, I mean free meat and all...
Brisket - great bark and flavor, fat was rendered perfect. It's rare to find brisket like this out of TX, nice job.
Ribs- it's hard for me to judge them with the sauce. They weren't sliced to that made it a little messier but overall they were good. Not overdone either. Great flavor.
Pulled pork - I have to admit I was pretty full by the time I got here. It was good but nothing stood out for me.
Would definitely go back. 4.5 rounded up. -
- Brandt R.
- Palatine, IL
- 22 friends
- 14 reviews
8/7/2015
Yes! This place is excellent! Service is quick even when busy. Not a lot of seating. This is byob with no problems! A bit pricey but the food quality matches the prices!!! Everything is good here. We had the ribs, pork, and brisket. My mouth is watering just writing this review. Thank you smoque!!!
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- Charlene H.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 32 reviews
7/5/2015
I rarely almost never give a 5 so you have to know this place was good. After the wait it's all downhill. Yes I arrived and the line was out the door on an 85 degree day.
The service was good. The atmosphere is casual barbecue like. And the food is off the chain good. The hot food is hot and the cool/cold food is cool/cold. The cole slaw has a light non mayonnaise dressing so that you can actually taste the slaw. The ribs come bare and piping hot cooked to perfection with a side of barbecue sauce for those who needs. I ate them both ways and the ribs were good. They had a slight smoked flavor but they were tender and flavorful without overpowering the meet.
I can't wait to get back to this restaurant and I am not even a barbecue person. This place was great. And I say that even after the wait and driving to get to this spot. Worth it all.
Hours
| Mon | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue | 11:00 am - 9:00 pm | |
| Wed | 11:00 am - 9:00 pm | |
| Thu | 11:00 am - 9:00 pm | Open now |
| Fri | 11:00 am - 10:00 pm | |
| Sat | 11:00 am - 10:00 pm | |
| Sun | 11:00 am - 9:00 pm |
Menu
- Brisket
- 15.95
- Pulled Pork
- Price varies
- Cornbread
- 0.95
More business info
-
- Takes Reservations
- No
- Delivery
- No
- Take-out
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Yes
- Good For
- Lunch, Dinner
- Parking
- Street
- Bike Parking
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Yes
- Good for Kids
- Yes
- Good for Groups
- Yes
- Attire
- Casual
- Ambience
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Average
- Alcohol
- No
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Has TV
- No
- Waiter Service
- No
- Caters
- Yes
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